Cowgate Trampolining Club in Newcastle hopes to bounce its way to even greater success - after making its Mark nationally.

The club has been granted Sport England's prestigious Gym Mark and will receive the award at a ceremony in Birmingham on Sunday.

Cowgate had to pass a series of tests in various aspects of its work, including child protection and health and safety, to qualify for the award.

They are the first trampolining club in the North East to be honoured in this way - and spokeswoman Rose Glover believes the accolade will bring important benefits.

She said: "We are delighted to win this award and hope it will give us access to grant aid from Sport England, which for a club like ours is very welcome.

"There is a huge amount of talent in this region which until now has not been recognised and supported the way it should be - hopefully that will now change."

Meanwhile, two of Cowgate's rising starlets have important dates in their diaries.

Ashton Clothier will compete in the National Under-15 Grade Two finals at Bournemouth's Littledown Centre in November.

Rachel Ayre will take part in the under-13 equivalent at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena next month and recently finished a creditable 12th of 38 in an Olympic Games qualifying event at South Shields.

Glover said: "That was a terrific performance against such strong opposition and hopefully Rachel can go top 10 in the country in her age group this year."